Excessive Waste, Urgent Need, Add Three Women

Wow. I attended a luncheon yesterday at the Edgewood Country Club with a dear friend Susan Lieber. I had recently asked Susan to support a charity I was working with (the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation). She stood ready to assist and in turn asked that I attend a fundraiser luncheon she was hosting for Global Links. "Where and when?" were my only questions. I'm honored to be able to work with charities and happy to lend a hand to friends who do the same.

Now, on to the "Wow". I had a vague idea as to what Global Links does. But, this luncheon delivered a far more powerful education. The founder of Global Links was there to share with us her vision when she started the group 20 years ago, in her garage with two friends. A local radio icon was there to introduce the founder. And, I was surrounded by fellow women business owners, some new faces and others that feel more like family. It was an amazing luncheon to say the least.

Global Links (in a nutshell) is an organization, mostly volunteer, that seeks to improve health care around the globe. They initially identified a huge surplus of medical waste in our country as well as a dying population in others- from lack of medical supplies! Connect the dots. We have very stringent medical safety protocols that demand we throw unused supplies out to landfills under a host of conditions. We also update our medical equipment, to remain state of the art, far more frequently than most countries. Therefore, why don't we donate our unused supplies (that are still sterile and available for us) and our gently used equipment to places where others have little to nothing? Seems like a no brainer to me!

One quick story that our beloved radio host shared with us, was her own volunteer (2 hours a week) experience. She was counting maxi pads and then putting so many in a zip lock bag for dissemination when the volunteer coordinator told her to add a "cheesecloth-looking item". She asked what on earth it was? The coordinator demonstrated for her that if you gently pulled it a part it was a rudimentary pair of underwear. After all, what good does a maxi pad for a woman who doesn't have underpants to place it in? The vision of a woman having to bleed down her legs crossed my mind and I was struck in a profound way. We take so very much for granted each and every day. Can you imagine a hospital not being able to save your life simply because they don't have the sutures to seal your wound after surgery? Why perform a surgery if you can't seal the opening and the patient will die anyway?

As March is Ethics Awareness Month- I encourage you to make ethical daily living choices that bear Global Links and the people it serves in mind. Let's reevaluate the way we live and dispose of so much. Let's all make a commitment to live better.

If you wish to visit Global Links- please do. The site is http://www.globallinks.org/

Guessing 172 -174. New Program on Board.

I haven’t replaced my scale. Remember, the one I threw out because it was malfunctioning. So, I’ll weigh myself at the gym later today. However, I don’t expect the numbers have budged. My clothes feel the same. I don’t feel any differently either.

Since I couldn’t post my number this morning, I opted to give you a photo instead. I know so many of you check this blog with great anticipation (and I appreciate that very much!). Yes, that is me. I figure if they can do it on the Biggest Loser so can I! So many people gasped when I told them I was going to post it. Why? It’s me! Just minus a blouse! This is my shape, size, what I look like… This photo will also serve as my reminder of where I am and where I want to go. As a bonus, I have a dress that I WILL be wearing on May 22nd at I greet guests on the night before my wedding. Its tight now, but I assure you it will be fitting beautifully in a little more than 2 months.

My vegetarian lifestyle is running smooth. I have added a few vitamins to help me balance while I learn the healthiest vegetarian balance of meals for optimal benefit. I know that I still need to master portion control, smaller meals, more snacking times, and better choices all around (remember cheese is vegetarian- and who doesn’t love a fried zucchini?!). I’ve cut way back on my beloved daily glass of wine. I only have it once or twice a week.

I’ve added Metafitness. Metafitness is a science based program that is individualized to measure what calories you need each day for your level of fitness and goals; and what energy you expend each day in your own lifestyle. I wore the monitor you can see in the picture for 4 days. I learned which workouts I do that give me the most bang for the buck and got to see how sedentary really means sedentary! I’ve got to get a treadmill desk in the coming months! As I sit here and write this I realize how little movement means little payoff. Yikes!

I’m so wowed by Metafitness that I’m going to start to offer it to my clients. And, I’m going to host a workshop on it in the coming weeks. Let me know if you are interested. I’ll keep you in the loop.

I’ll get there. I’m learning every step of the way. And, I feel good about it. Those numbers will catch on soon. I know they will.

Know When to Revamp the Process and Know When to Quit

I just wrote one of the lengthiest blogs of my history and blogger experienced a problem and couldn't save it! Yikes. And, it was a rant too. What a shame.

My blog today was highlighting a medical experience I had recently that was appalling. Appalling from a customer (patient) standpoint. I highlighted the importance of delivering outstanding service- everyone on your team must do this to be viewed favorably and valued. If you can't deliver great service, or are working with a team that cannot, I encourage you to move on. Move on could mean finding a new team. Or, it could mean finding a new profession.

I don't have the time, unfortunately, to recreate that blog. Perhaps I'll do so another week.

March is National Ethics Awareness Month. Check your ethics.

Sorry for the blog malfunction.
Lisa

The Power of Choice

I am re-reading some of the business and personal success classics. As I was reviewing Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People last night, I was reminded of my own days of independence. By days of independence I am referring to those moments in time when you declare to make a choice that is harder, against the norm, ill advised by others, or against the grain of what you had done for so long. I've been wildly fortunate to make these declarations so many times in my life that they have now become the norm. My new norm, if you will. Pages 97-144 on Principles of Personal Leadership are my favorite. They discuss the importance of a personal mission statement to serve you, your business and your community. As I pondered this notion I was delighted to relive my discovery of a poem that changed my life.

In 1993 I went to Philadelphia to study at Temple University. They had a poster fair for students. I found one that had made a profound impact on my life. Its called I Am Me by Virginia Satire (1975). That poster hung in my dorm room, later my office, my homes #1, #2 and #3... It still hangs in my bedroom today, more than 15 years after I bought it. Its torn, written on and battered- but that makes it more powerful. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped my day to read it out loud to declare my choice and control on my destiny. It is my mantra. I believe what the poem says, that each of us have the power to change those things about ourselves that are unproductive, unattractive, unwanted, etc... You are your own engineer the poem says. I truly believe that. That belief has allowed me to make choices against the grain... with confidence and power. Here is the poem:

My Declaration of Self-Esteem
by Virginia Satir
I AM ME In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me

Everything that comes out of me is authentically me

Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me

My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,

Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fantasies,

My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and

Successes, all my failures and mistakes

Because I own all of Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me -

by so doing

I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts - I know

There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other

Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am

Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously

And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles

And for ways to find out more about me - However

I Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever

I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically

Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought

And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is

Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that

Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do

I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be

Productive to make sense and order out of the world of

People and things outside of me - I own me, and therefore

I can engineer me - I am me and

I AM OKAY
© Virginia Satir, 1975.

Perhaps you need to read this mantra out loud too. Perhaps you also need to pick up the 7 Habits and give it another look as to how it belongs in your life today.

Open your life to new interpretations and revisit older inspirations.

What Pumps You Up?

If your life were a line, such as the heart monitor, what would it look like? Does it have lots of peaks and valleys? Were there years or months when you were always up? (Up meaning on top of it all, feeling great, happy with where you were and who you were, not up as in stress level.)

Now, think about the last 6 months. Where were your peaks and valleys? What was going on? Who were you around or what were you working on?

I strongly encourage you to make the choice about how you want to live- in a peak or a valley. Recognize that it is always a choice (even if we prefer to blame it on outside circumstances). Then, take proactive steps to live in the way of your choice.

If you chose to live in a peak, or at least begin your assent, here are some recommendations:

• Choose your theme song. Something that you hear and the car accelerator goes down (not literally). You immediately get pumped up just hearing the first chord.


• Surround yourself with others who are living in peaks and stay away from those who prefer the valley (no matter who they are)


• Identify a profession or set of tasks that allow you to shine and/or challenge and conquer and/or fuel your passion, etc.... (realize how much of your life is work and how important it is that work is mostly enjoyable and keeping you in a peak)


• Have a plan for moments when a valley is around the corner- weekly yoga class, overnight retreat, friend available for dinner at your favorite restaurant, favorite exercise, etc...

How do you choose to live? How are your activities and mindset in line with that choice?

Now, put on your theme song and get ready to sour!

Win by Being Yourself

I was very humbled recently to learn that I was nominated as one of Pennsylvania's 50 Best Women in Business. I've only owned my business for slightly more than a year and a half. That in itself is pretty telling. I've worked very hard during that time. However, more importantly, I believe the award has less to do with my hard work than it does my genuine love for what I do.

When you are doing what you should, naturally, it shows. When you are doing what you love, it shows. You can't fake it. Its transparent.

My nomination came from a woman I met through a mutual business woman and friend. She is an extraordinary business woman who seems to know everyone in our city. She has a knack for identifying smart business women who also LOVE what they do- and they do it well. She selected 4 of these such women to be nominated for the award. I could not be more honored.

I planned my business for a brief 6 months before leaving a corporate climate. I dreamed of each facet of business and developed a game plan for how I'd approach it (even if very naive). But, most importantly, I chose a profession that was a natural fit with who I am and what I already love doing. I believe this was the key to my success.

Take chances. Try something new. But, try to stay true to who you are. Choose a profession that follows your passions, values and ideas. Have fun with it. It will show- and it will help you to be even more successful.

First Steps to Getting that New Job

As a coach, I work with a number of people who want to change professions (yes, even in today's climate). We work on identifying the areas they'd like to explore and when they are ready, we begin actively pursuing work in those fields.

I cannot tell you how many times I find people getting caught up in the details way too early. They evaluate a job posting with x-ray eyes and feel that they need to love and embody each detail to even consider it. Save your time! If it fits the field you are looking for and it fits 75% of what you'd be interested in APPLY. The devil is in the details- but that can and will be worked out during and post-interview. If you like them and they like you - there is room for negotiating most of those details anyhow.

Remember, the job description is meant to be an introduction to the job, duties, responsibilities, etc.. Different companies and fields do it differently. Some exaggerate who they want or who they don't to ward off the lazy, less than interested, absolute non-fits, and those they learned painful lessons from in the past. Others low-ball the salaries. Hey, if your going to dream- dream big! "I want the perfect person who will work night and day meticulously and I want them for minimum wage." Still others, the most reputable of firms will be honest and fair in the job ads and descriptions. (And, here's a hint- those are the ones you want to work for.)

How many people do you know who negotiated a higher salary then was originally posted in the job? I know a great many. How many people negotiated work at home hours even when the ad said, no tele-commuting or home offices. Yep, again- quite a few.

Evaluate the opportunity not the details too closely. There will be time to state your case after you've wowed them and you both agree this would be a great match.

A quick and personal story: I was honored to work for a very distinguished firm years ago in the military contracting field. When I left the founder of the firm called me and told me he'd pay me what ever I wanted to stay on board. What ever I wanted? Wow. I asked him why he'd make such a generous offer. I was far from the smartest person on staff or the greatest business generator. He said it was my initiative. I had the greatest initiative he'd ever seen and he wishes he could bottle it. Initiative was never in my job description. It had nothing, on paper, to do with my value, but it was everything to the person who mattered most. I still left by the way. It wasn't about money.

172.4 and still counting

I must confess I cringed when knowing my weigh in was this morning. I knew the numbers wouldn't be what I wanted. Not because I haven't been working hard- but because I can feel there hasn't been a budge in the numbers. My clothes feel the same and my muscle structure has felt steady too.

I have followed a mostly vegetarian diet. There were two occasions when I had meat. Those choices were made because of where I was dining at, it was their specialty. And, I'm still a foodie no matter what. So, I sampled and made no gripes about it. I still feel 1000% better following a vegetable based diet than a meat one. Its hard to explain to people. They just have to try it for themselves.

I still go to the gym 5 days a week. I added Tai-Chi and Zumba classes to the mix for a little variety. I enjoyed both for very different reasons. My exercise physiologist said that you have to change your gym routine every 6 weeks or so to keep your body working optimally. Oh, and I've started to run. Now, don't get me wrong. One of my girlfriends has a saying that I've also adopted, years ago. "This body was built for comfort not for speed!" But, I know that running is a challenge for me and it helps to speed up the metabolism. So, I run in 3 minute or 1/4 mile bursts in between exercises and weight lifting. Its super hard but does feel good when I finish.

After weighing myself this morning I threw out the scale. Not a symbolic gesture I assure you (although the thought crossed my mind). The scale gave me 5 error messages as I tried to get my measurements this morning. So I am unsure how accurate the body fat analyzer component was/is. I decided to toss it rather than rely on a faulty machine. I'll pick up a new one or just rely on the scale at the gym.

I am disappointed that the numbers haven't come down more. The other month I went into the 160's much more easily. Perhaps its my one vice- wine. I really enjoy a glass of red wine with my evening meal or afterwards. So, as a little experiment I'll stop drinking it for the next three weeks- with a few exceptions, when I'm at cocktail parties. But, I'll limit it to one glass and no more than once per week.

Now, let's check the schedule at the gym today. ..

This Isn't Your Grandma's World Anymore....

In today's environment you have to think bigger, bolder, more brazen than the next person, if...

• you want a new job,
• you really want that client,
• you want that scholarship, etc...

This isn't the world where you can just send in your resume and land the position. Or, you can just call the prospective client and land the contract. No, you have to use your best ideas today, outside the conventional ones.

First, use your network. Connect to who or what you want through the people you've spend years cultivating relationships with. This helped me get on radio shows and get some of my best speaking opportunities. If you don't have a network, start to build one today.

Second, make yourself unique. This may mean rewriting your resume to really grab attention and drive home your specialities (that match what they are looking for). It also may mean having the marketing materials that appeal directly to that prospective client. This is not the time to be shy or sound like the next gal or guy in line. You have to stand out.

Third, use your tools. Go directly to the client- rather than send a letter or call. Send a package that distinguishes itself- use video, audio clips, posters versus letters... you get my drift. Be big and bold. Be different. Send samples. Send testimonials. Put them in video! Send it FedEx.

Personal Example: I recently created a campaign for major retailer to sell my audio book on World War II. I put together a CD with a video introduction specifically for them, videos of interviews I've done on the evening news and at radio events, and a radio interview. That was in addition to the required items requested in a letter and a sample of the product. I further not only advocated for sale of my audio book, I made suggestions as to how I can help them in personal promotions around the country. I'm sure to get attention. And, it was a lot of fun to put together. I will keep you posted.

What Make Women Happy...

A recent poll said that the happiest women do 3 things:

• cancel appointments for more "me" time
• don't always answer their phone and
• know how to say no

I love these women. I am one of them.

You must first harness the fact that you have to be well to serve others. Well means you have to be (or should very well be) healthy, happy, vibrant, optimistic, full of hope, ready to dive into the task, etc..... Serving others is what we do in our families, relationships, with our best friends, in our community, our professional positions...

You can't serve well when you are not taking good care of yourself.

Let me say it another way, no one gets the best of you if the best isn't even available.

So, reconsider over scheduling yourself. Remember you are not in emergency services and people shouldn't be able to reach you 24/7. Voicemail is a wonderful tool. Use it! And, please if you learn only one word this year, let it be NO. Say NO to that committee, task, job, trip and YES to you.

Two Stories of an "Improbability" that was far from an "Impossibility"!

Two tales of improbable being proved wrong... or simply proving that the improbable doesn't also mean impossible, just unlikely.

Story one: Did you see that game? THAT game, last night? The last few minutes were incredible, yes. But, I was most impressed with play at the end of the first half. The Cardinals were 2 yards (6 feet!) away from a touchdown and Harrison (Steelers) intercepted the ball with this great catch and he just took it! He took it all the way from one goal line to the other. He was dodging people left and right, hurdling bodies.... it was almost a dance- although a quite fast dance. It was incredible! Even a novice football watcher like myself knew I was watching something magnificent. Harrison is a line backer. They don't usually run - and not like that. That guy defied all the odds.

Story two: Syrah Jayne (my dog in the picture) may look pretty comfortable on the couch but she's had a very long road. I found her at a homeless dog shelter in Virginia in 2006. All that we knew of her history was that she was found living on the streets. I can tell you that she was also severely abused by someone, probably an entire family or community. She had fishing line still embedded in her tail where they tried to cut it off; she didn't speak for months; she cowered in her own shadow when you even looked at her. It was pretty awful for a while. She acted as if she just wanted to melt into the carpet. One of my friends was walking with Syrah and I one day and he asked it it wouldn't have been more humane for someone to "put her down" rather than live like this. Loving Syrah, that notion was absurd to me but on another hand I understood that he meant no harm. Syrah has had a long road but she actually has found joy in much of it. Today, you'd call her "shy" but apart from that you wouldn't notice anything different about her. I call her my symbol of resilience. If she can learn to love and trust again, anyone can. She's defied the odds to.

We defy the odds all of the time. When things look unlikely they still have a chance. They are not impossible. The words are very different with clearly different meanings. When you face an unlikely or improbability, that is the moment to pull all of your energy together, focus and go after it as though it was the last opportunity you had. What do you have to lose?

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.... but what is small?

We've heard it a million times, "don't sweat the small stuff!" And, I agree. But, I think its important to first examine what the small stuff means... to you, to your partner, your friends, your clients.... we may not all be on the same page as to what constitutes that famously small stuff.

What does the small stuff mean to you?

To me, the small stuff includes things like: a not-so-perfect haircut, a not-so-perfectly picked up or ultra clean house, not winning at everything, not having the BEST of some gadget, and not being so perfect. I try hard not to sweat my small stuff.

But, small stuff is pretty subjective. Your friends/partner/clients may have a different perspective of what small stuff is.

Its critical to know what matters most (and least) to those those who are important to you.

It may be super important to them that they get a call back within the hour if they leave you a message. You, on the other hand, may feel a day or two response is adequate.

You may try to avoid the small stuff by ignoring it. They may prefer to talk about the small stuff to get it out and move forward.

Think about what small stuff means to you. Don't sweat it.. for you. But, also know what it means to others so you don't lose something or someone important to you.

174 and 3% body fat down

So, the scale isn't playing as nicely as I'd like. :) I'm only down a few pounds. Not the 10 my body is telling me I've shed from all of the exercise I've been doing. :) I say that with a joking smile.

It continues to be a really enjoyable journey, no matter what the scale says. The great news is that my body fat is decreasing. I have a scale that tells me how much I have- along with other measurements. I've dropped my body fat into an acceptable range according to body fat charts. Great!

I've adopted a new diet and am really enjoying it. I have a lot to learn to maintain healthy eating habits- and incorporate the variety the body calls for. When I was a vegetarian years ago I did it all wrong. Can anyone say pizza? Vegetarians can be fat too you know. But this time I am incorporating foods I've not experimented with before. I'm staying away from dairy (for the most part) which was often my fattest intake of the week. I really love cheese. :) Now, I eat vegetarian out (with only two slips in the last two weeks) and vegan when I cook at home. I feel great about that.

This morning, as I came back from the gym, (Yes, I got up at my usual 6 AM and hit the gym right away), I passed McDonald's. The drive through was packed! I felt great knowing I wasn't in that line! One of those meals would have erased my gym work for a few days! I recall the days of working mostly out of my car, as a mobile therapist and again as a researcher, when multiple daily meals came from fast food! Yikes. Those days are long gone!

I am very proud of my gym routine- the fact that I make it a priority every day. In fact, its about making ME a priority every day. That feels great. I was in DC for 4 full days and two of them we made it to the gym! Two out of four isn't bad. Four out of four would have been better but I won't beat myself up. It was a mini-vacation.

My exercise physiologist has given me a new program after modifying the last one to my and my gyms needs. I started that this morning. I work hard when I'm at the gym. Can I work a little harder, yes.

So, in a nutshell, the past 3 weeks have been full of proud moments and a few small failures. I think I have to work ten times harder to reduce my portions. I haven't paid enough attention to this. I really love food! But, I know what I have to do.

Oh, and breakfast.... while that line at McDonald's was busy with morning commuters... I have come to enjoy a 1/2 grapefruit broiled with honey on top for my breakfasts! Today, I switched up for a little variety... bran cereal with almond milk (non dairy).

I know so many of you are monitoring this blog to cheer me on and to find your own inspirations- welcome and enjoy! I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. It feels good to reclaim yourself!

Change can be a Difficult Choice.. and the Wrong One too.

This week I was a honored to attend the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball in Washington DC. The Salute to Heroes Ball is not an "official" ball but it has welcomed the President, Vice President and their respective spouses since it began in 1953.

This particular ball is so very special because of its honorees, the Congressional Medal of Honor winners. This award is the highest military honor to be given to anyone, and is often done posthumously. This year we had 48 Medal of Honor recipients present at the Salute to Heroes Ball. That is almost half of those who are still living. It was incredible to be in that room.

Where does change come into play here? Well, this year was different because the incoming President (whom I voted for) did not attend the Ball. He attended others but not this one. This was the first time in history that the President did not attend and spend a few minutes honoring these heroes. So many of us were disappointed.

Clearly, his schedule was packed. Clearly they were off course with timing that day. Clearly everyone wanted him at their ball. ..... Yes, all of that is very true. But, his decision to not attend this Ball, made in the days ahead when he sent a letter to the leading host organization with his regrets, has profoundly impacted many of the people who were there. Remember, I said I voted for him. I wouldn't set him up for failure or look for areas to complain about... but he has given me one for the record books, literally.

This lesson is not just for people in high power, like our President. This lesson is for all of us as we change things in our lives or make decisions that others are anticipating another course of action. Beware. Your decisions and actions may appear subtle to you but they may severely leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. Someone, who you may need to call upon in the future for a need you have.

Personally, I'd rather have a celebrity mad at me for not shaking hands than look away from the men and women who have served our country so honorably. And, did I mention that we are at war? Even President Clinton came to the Ball when it was his time! The argument could go on but what is done is done. President Obama missed a wonderful opportunity and failed in his responsibility to honor our nation's greatest veterans.

Remember, you are responsible for your decisions and your actions. Take them seriously. Consider the negative consequences before acting.

Live from Washington!

Dear friends,

I'm writing to you from D.C. We're here for the Inaugural events and the great company of friends.

I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to see friends you haven't seen in a while. I knew I missed them but I suppose I didn't know how much- until we were catching up, laughing and sharing. Its been a wonderful vacation being here.

We'll be going to the Salute to Heroes Ball this evening. I'll be sure to take pictures and post them upon my return to my office.

Lisa

Putting Life in Perspective

The Miracle on the Hudson is all over the news. As it should be.

The 150 + passengers and crew members are "very lucky" as my partner who works for the FAA put it. As he thought about how lucky they are to be alive, I thought about something else.

I thought about the amazing gift they've been given. The gift of an event, tragic as it was, that allows them to put their life in perspective in a matter of moments. I would imagine for a few months their lives will never be the same. They will look at things differently. They will have a surreal experience of knowing it could have had another outcome.

I know that because I had a similar experience years ago. Anyone who has not genuinely experienced "those moments" when you realized this could be your last breath, may have a hard time following what I'm saying. Those moments feel like an eternity. You think about your loved ones and how they'll morn over how it ended for you. You think about the 1 or 2 people you love more than anything in the world. You'll pray. You'll look at the strangers around you in a new light- if you can see them. You'll feel helpless. At least, I did.

Remember that tomorrow is expected but not guaranteed. Put your life in perspective as though you had 30 days left on this earth- or 30 minutes. What would you do? Say? Be?

Life is really a gift. Let's never forget that.

Women and Goals

72% of women say happiness lies in making progress on their goals, even if they never achieve them. Wow. (This was just another nugget I found packed into January's Real Simple.)

As women, we love to feel productive, accomplished, moving forward. Therefore, this headline should not be surprising. However, as a coach, I'd like to see more goal achievement. Imagine how happy she'd be then!

There are several keys to goal achievement:

1. Write out a measurable goal (i.e., I will lose 10 lbs in 3 months -April 2009.)
2. Plan the goal on a daily or weekly scale. (I will lose 3.5 lbs a month, less than 1 lb each week.)
3. Enlist the help of friends, family, and a coach.
4. Start each day reminding yourself of your goal and what you can do that day to work toward it (exercise, plan meals, eat healthier, cut out bad foods....).
5. Dedicate time each week to think seriously about your goal, document your progress, and prepare for the following week with your goal at the top of your mind.
6. Celebrate each win along the way. And, don't beat yourself up for small mistakes along the way. No one is perfect.
7. Prepare for your goal achievement (in this example, buy something new for your new figure.)
8. Finally, Achieve!

Wishing you all happiness.

I host the Champions Series which is an ideal program for men and women who want to grow and develop in their personal and professional selves. The series has a monthly topic and related seminar delivered on MP3 file or CD through the mail. The program includes a private, monthly coaching call where we focus on your specific goals. Join today at http://www.spahrconsulting.com Membership is only $39 a month.

It is Real Simple

It is Real Simple... the magazine. I love it. I have been reading it for years.

The January issue particularly speaks to my heart as a coach. They asked women what was on their NOT-TO-DO list for 2009. Here's a sampling...

• I won't over commit.
• I'm going to stop being a people pleaser.
• I won't do office work at home on Sundays.
• I will stop saving things for special occasions.
• I will not make the same promises I have year after year. This year I'll be less judgmental, take the dog out more, and overlook my husband's inability to fold towels.

I love them! We are finally getting it! The best thing you can do for yourself, your family and your career is to STOP. Stop what you are doing. Do an analysis of what it is that you do everyday. And, then refine it to be more powerful, more productive, more meaningful, healthier, happier, etc..... (what ever it is that YOU need now) even if that means slowing down!

Enjoy your life. Don't let it slip away.

173.2...177...175 ???

There is truth to numbers. Yet, don't let the numbers run you. If no one famous said that yet, let it be said by me now.

Let's talk numbers first.
The other day, perhaps Friday, I weighed myself out of curiosity. The digital scale said 173. Fabulous. This morning it said 177. Not so fabulous. I went back to the scale a little while ago to get my water weight and other measurements via the digital scale. It said 175 and then gave me an error code for the other measurements. So, I will weigh myself at the gym and get new batteries for my scale. What ever the numbers say, I feel awesome!

Why do I feel awesome when the numbers aren't budging?
Its simple. I've reclaimed my life. I'm still hitting the gym at least 5 days a week for one hour each time. I do cardio and strength training. I'm hoping to add some yoga in there this week. And, I've severely modified my eating habits. I'm finally taking full responsibility for everything that goes in my mouth, thus into my body.

Since I last blogged about my weight...
The first week I was good about going to the gym but my food intake was still in need of serious overhaul. The second week I was plagued with a slight injury but very motivated to get back in the gym and get my nutrition on board.

Near the end of the second week I read Skinny Bitch, the book. (Which I recommend with a few caveats. Its not for the faint of heart. It promotes a strictly vegan lifestyle and tells you a million reasons why you should do so. Its for those who are serious about reclaiming their lives and willing to make equally serious changes to their lifestyle.) For me, that book revolutionized my eating habits and thoughts about food. I've been a vegetarian before so it wasn't that far off from what I was used to, although it was years ago. Since reading it, I have maintained a vegan diet with only a few episodes of feta cheese on two of my meals outside the house. I am not opposed to having fish at least once per week- so I doubt I'll stick to a strict vegan diet but I like many of the other vegan choices and believe it will make up at least 75% of my eating habits.

I considered Nutrisystem until I read Skinny Bitch. And, my partner wasn't on board with Nutrisystem- which I would have wanted had I gone with it. He convinced me that we should just make better choices and prepare for meals to cook at home. In hindsight, I wouldn't have been satisfied with Nutrisystem after reading Skinny Bitch. I'm much happier with my current choices.

I added a food log to my outlook notes. I note everything that I eat or drink (outside water- which I drink plenty of anyhow).

I enlisted the help of a professional, Patty Dietz, an exercise physiologist, to give me a FREE one month membership of online health guidance and advice based on my personal needs. If you want to reach Patty please email me.

I can't tell you how good I feel. I think making the food choices that I've made have allowed me to feel better instantly. I was grocery shopping for my new lifestyle last night and enjoying so much of it. I read each label and put it down if it had too much sodium (I had high blood pressure years ago when my weight was higher), too many calories, too much fat in proportion to the calories, not enough nutrition, and if I didn't like any of the ingredients. I feel great about what what went in my cart, my car, my home and ultimately will go into my body.

And, I love going to the gym. The best feeling is when you are in bed and you stretch and you feel a muscle you haven't felt so prominently in ages!

I'm optimistic that the numbers will catch up with how I feel in the weeks to come. I'm not worried. I'm just going to stick to my new food lifestyle and my gym routines. And, I'm going to keep feeling great!

Let me know how you are doing!

Recall Your Early Motivations to Foster Progress

As you are starting a new year, you are likely clearing out files and such from years past. I encourage you to take your time and review your early work for renewed inspiration.

If you are a business owner:
Review your thoughts, drawings, notes, emails and other work that you did before the start and in the beginning of your business (or a particular project).

If you are a student:
Review your early writings and other work.

If you are a parent:
Review your journal and/or thoughts of parenting before the children arrived.

If you are a professional:
Revisit items that talked about where you wanted the world to take you. What were your expectations and dreams before life got hectic.

The reason for you to do this is multi-fold:

• You'll revisit why you began the journey. What did you set out to do? Or Why?
• You'll see progress and change. Some you'll like and some you won't. Take this time to think about your new directions.
• You'll see your values, beliefs, and ideas at their rawest. Have they changed? Have you totally lost them?
• You'll get to slow down to evaluate the roses before moving forward. In doing so, you may choose a slightly different path.

Enjoy the adventure.

Make sure you are putting your best foot forward-for yourself- each and every day!